Feeler mechanism for looms



A. E. RHOADES.

FEELER MECHANISNI FOR LOOIVIS.

APPLICATION FILED SFPT. 25,1919.

Patented May 4, 1920.

UNITED sTATEs VPATENT OFFICE. i

ALONZO E. RHOADES, 0F HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER CORPO- RATION, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE. l

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mayet, 19,20.

Application filed September 25, 1919. Serial No. 326,129.

Be it known that I, ALONZO E. RHoADns,'

a citizen of the United States, residing at Hopedale, in the County of lVorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Feeler Mechanism for Looms, of which the following description, in connection with the'accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the vdrawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms for looms, and more particularly to that type of feeler mechanisms, wherein the feeler arm or member is moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling becomes substantially exhausted, to thereby set in operation a train of mechanism for repleiiishing the filling.

In this type of feeler mechanisms, the feeler tip or end of the feeler arm is usually provided with a roughened or toothed surface which, by engagement with the filling, prevents movement of the feeler arm in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle on a detecting beat until the filling becomes substantially exhausted, and then the teeth of the feeler tip no longer being held by the working supply of filling, the fe'eler arm is given its described movement. The constant impact of the feeler tip against the filling which occurs on each detecting beat, sometimes injuriouslyeffects the filling or weft thread, and it has heretoforevbeen suggested to form th contacting end `of the feeler tip by some soft substance such as felt which would not injure the' filling 'by Contact therewith. Inasmueh, however, as the movement of the feeler army longitudinally of' the shuttle is to be restrained by engagement of the end of the `tip with the filling whena. working supply is present,

the frictional engagement of the filling with the felt on the end of the feeler arm is not sufficiently reliable to effect this purpose, and the feeler arm is liable at times to partake of its movement longitudinally of' the shuttle when a working supply of filling is present, thereby ,causing waste and improper operation `of the loom.

An important feature of the present invention, therefore, consists in a feeler arm yieldingly movable toward and from the front of the loom. and having a feeler tip on which is yieldingly mounted a feeler holding point or points which serve to take arm, the feeler tip,

the first impact of the filling and enter between the coils thereof and then yield frontwardly under the frontward push of the filling until the end of the feeler tip itself engages the filling and causes tlie feeler arm to be moved frontwardly thereby. Vhen the filling reaches a condition of substantial exhaustion, the. feeler point or points will again take the first impact of theadvancing filling carrier and then yyield inwardly until `the surface or end o :t' the feeler tip engages the filling carrier, whereuponthe surface of the feeler tip and fe'eler holding point or points will move in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle along the surface of the filling carrier. n

The present invention may be advantageously employed in connection with any character of feeler arm which is mounted..

for movement longitudinally .of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted, but has special advantages in connection with the character of feeler arm and associated parts shown and described in the patent 'to Edward S. Stimpson, No. 1,309,226, and

consequently, in the following' description, the invention will be set forth as applied to or associated with that character of feeler mechanism.

In the drawing 2- Figure l1 is a plan view, substantially similar in all respects to Fig. 1 of Athe Stimpson patent, but having the present invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation showing more particularly the end of the feeler and the yieldingly mounted feeler holding points carried by the feeler tip;

Fig. 3 is a sectionlon the line 3--3 of Fig. 2, showing thejoperation of the feeler arm and f'eeler points when a working supply of filling is ing beat; y

Fig. 4 is a View similar to that of Fig. 3, but showing the action of the parts when the filling is substantially exhausted.;

Fig. 5 isI a sectional view of a feeler tip with a single feeler holding point yieldingly mounted thereon; and

Fig. G is an enlarged detail showing more particularly the general construction of the feeler holding point or points.

The loom frame 1 has mounted thereon the transverse or change shaft 2 from which present in the shuttle on a detectiio rises the arm 3 to which is pivotally connected the transmitter 4. A latch 5 is pivotally mounted on the transmitter at 6, and its rear end portion is adapted at times to be engaged by an operating member 7, which in the present instance-is a' part associated with the weft hammer or cam follower.

Underlying the finger 8 connected to the latch 5 is the arm 9 of a lever pivotally mounted at 10 to a supporting arm 11, and to the lever 9 Yis jointed the connecting rod 12 which has its other end joined to a controller 13 through an enlarged slot in which passes the feeler arm or member 14. The feeler arm 14 is supported in a direction inclined to the longitudinal axis ofthe shuttle upon a feeler stand 15, and has secured thereto a slide 16 resting upon the support or stand 15. The front end portion of the feeler arm 14 passes through a swivel block or guide 17 mounted uponthe feeler stand. The parts so far described are the same as the similar parts shown and described in the Stimpson patent heretofore mentioned, and to which reference may be had for further detailed description thereof.

The lay 18 carries the usual shuttle-box, the front wall of which is provided with a slot 19 adapted to register with a slot 20 formed in the front wall of the shuttle 21 when it is in the detecting box, the consti-uction being suoli that as the lay moves frontwardly on a detecting beat, the feeler member 14 may enter the shuttle and feel for the condition of the filling.

The feeler arm 14 is provided with a feeler tip 22 which may be connected thereto by a pin 23, and the rear face or surface 24 of the feeler tip which, as will more fully appear, is adapted to engage a surface within the shuttle on each detecting beat,v and is formed as a smooth, broad surface best shown in Fig. Q.. The broadsurface 24 at the end of the feeler tip affords an enlarged bearing against which the filling may contact without injurious effect under the conditions to be presently described.

As indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, the feeler tip 22/ is proi'ided with feeler points, two being shown, mounted yieldingly upon-the feeler tip and normally extending rearward of the contacting end In the present instance, points 25 are mounted: in guideways` 26 formed in the feeler tip, and extend frontwardly into an enlarged recessed portion 27 formed in the feeler tip. Flach of the feeler l-iolding points 25 ls provided with a collar 28 between which and a fixed bushing Q9 at the front end portion of the feeler' tip isinterposed a spring 30 normallyi tending to projectthe associated feeler point to extend its end portion beyond the broad end portion 24 of the feeler tip.

The feeler holding the feeler holding points 25 are similarly 24 of the feeler tip."

formed, and one of them is indicated in Fig. 6, wherein 1t will be noted that the extreme end portion 31 is rounded over, the effect be- 'ing that when the filling engages `the end of the feeler holdingpoint, the vlatter will enter between the coils of the filling or weft without injuriously effecting or cutting it.

Instead of mounting two feeler holding points on the feeler tip, one may sometimes be sufficient, vas indicated in Fig. 5, wherein the feeler tip is formed integral with the feeler arm, but as in the construction heretofore described, the feeler tip has the broad flattened engaging surface similar to the surface 24 already described. In the construction indicated in Fig. 5 wherein a single feeler point is associated with the feeler tip, the feeler tip may be bored longitudinally as indicated at 32 to form the recess in which the spring 34 may be seated, oneend thereof bearing upon the end wall 35 of the recess, and the other end `against the collar. i

28. The end portion of the bored feeler tip may be closed by a plug 3G against which the collar 2S bears under the impulse of the spring B4.

As more fully described in the patent to Stimpson hereinbefore mentioned, the feeler arm 14 is surrounded by a spring 37 (Fig. 1) which normally holds the feeler arm in its rearward position.

iVhen a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat. the feeler' point or points will first engage the filling or weft, and owing to the less strength of the spring 3l) than the spring 3T, the feeler points will be moved inwardly while held sufficiently firm to cause their rounded end portion 31 to enter between the coils of the filling. After ,the ends have thus entered between the coils of the filling as indicated in Fig. 3, the feeler points will frontwardly until the broad surface' 24 of the feeler tip has engaged the filling mass, and thereupon, the feeler arm will be moved frontwardly by the push upon the broad face Q4 of the feeler tip. Owing to the fact that the feeler holding points penetrate between the coils of the filling, the feeler arm willibe-held from movement longitudinally of the shuttle as it is moved frontwardly. Vhen, however, the filling, has become sub'- stantially exhausted as indicated 'in Fig. 4, the feeler holding points will be pushed frontwardly in the feeler tip until the broad surface of the tip itself meets the filling zarrier or the few coils of filling still remaining be moved the ends ot the eeler holding points, whereupon such points will yield relative to the lieeler tip and permit a subsequent engagement ot the broad or flattened end portion ot the teeler tip with the surface within the yshuttle, which thereupon effects frontward niovenient ot the eeler arm.

ln. the illustrated embodiment ot the present invention, where the teeler points are associated with a ieeler arm supported in a direction inclined to the longitudinal axis o l' the shuttle, the feeler holdingpoints are especially advantageous when also inclined relative to the longitudinal axis ot the shuttle, because. under such conditions, the ends ot the leeler points act with positiveness between the coils ol' the filling to prevent longitudinal movement ot' the teeler 'member oi' arm when a working` supply ot filling is present, but otter no obstruction to the longitudinal movement oit the feeler tip along the 'iteeler carrier when the filling is substantially exhausted. ln this latter re spect the rounded end portionsl of the inclined teeler points move along the surface ot the i'illing carrier without injurious effect thereto.

ll'hat is claimed is1- 1. ln a teeler mechanism for looms, a teelerarm that is mounted for movement longitiulinally oi' the shuttle when the filling` is substantially exhausted and is provided with a l'eeler tip having a smooth end which engages ao surface within the shuttle on each detecting beat, a feeler point that has a rounded end adapted to enter between coils ot' the lil ling without cutting ettcc-t and that yieldingly mounted upon the teeler tip to l nd beyond the smooth end thereof, said :teeler point being iut-.lined in the general direction ot longitudinal li'iovement oi." the teelei' arm which takes place when the filling substantially exhausted, and by engage'- nient with a surface in the shuttle prevents movement ot the t'eeler arm loi'igitudinally ot the shuttle until the. iilling is substantially exhaiiistod. i

n teeler mechanism for looms, a u thaiy is mounted ior movement ily ot' the shuttle when the tilling or welt is :aibstani'ially i-xhausted, and is pi.'o.'ided with a ieeler tip which contacts with u suri'ace within the shuttle on each detecting beat und is moved trout Yardly thereby. aud a lfeelei' holdingvpoint that is yieldingly mounted upon the "t'eeler tip to extend beyond the end thereof and is inclined in the direction ot' the longitudinal. movement ot the teeler` arm which takes place when the filling or wett is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat.

2. ln a t'eeler mechanism :tor looms` teeler ai'ni mat is mounted tor movement limgitui'linally oi the shuttle and is provided with a Yteeler ti-p which eng a surface within the shuttle on each detecting beat, and a .teeler holding point that is yieldingly mounted on the leeler tip to extend beyond the end ot the tip in a direction ine-lined to the longitudinal axis ot' the wett airrier in the shuttle, andl by engagemei'it with ythe weft on the carrier prevents movement ot the feeler arm longitudinallyY ot the shuttle until substantial exhaustion ot tilting and thereupon slides along .the surface of the weft carrier. i

et. ln a 'eeler mechanism l'or looms, a teeler arm that is mounted lor movement longitudinally ot the shuttle and is provided with a feeler tip that engages a surface within the shuttle on each detecting beat, and a 'teeler holding point that is yieldinffly mounted on the teeler tip to receive the first impact ot the surface within the shuttle. and by engagement therewith to prevent niovement ot the 'leeler arm longitudinally ot' the shuttle on a detecting beat until the tilling is substantially exhausted and then movable with the ''eelei tip longitudinally along they sui-tace ot the illing carrier.

5. ln a 'feeler mechanism Vlor looms` the fon'ibination of a` teeler arm that is mounted i for movement longitudinally along the filling carrier in the shuttle when tilling is substantially exhausted ou a detecting beat, a li'eeler tip moimted on the teeler arm to engage a surface within the shuttle on a detecting beat, and' a teeler holding point yieldingly mounted on the Jeeler tip to normally extend in an inclined direction beyond the end thereof and receive the first impact ot' a surface within the. shuttle on a detecting beat, and by engagement therewith prevent movement ot the teeler arm longitudii'ially ot the shuttle until. substantial exhaust-ion ot' filling. i

i 6. in a Jf'eeler mechanism 'for looms. the combination ot a teelen arm supported for movement toward and trom the Jfront of the loom in a path inclined to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle and having a tip, the rear surface ot which is adapted to be Vengaged by a surface within the shuttle on each deteeing beat. a teeler holding point yieldingly mounted on the 'teeler end and supported to normally project lie/ vomi the rear engagiiig surface ol the tecler tip and in an inclined position relative to the` surface within the shuttle engaged by it.

7. ln a t'eeler mechanism 'for looms` the combination ot a teeler arm having a teelei tip adapted to slide longitudinally along the tilling carrier when the filling is substantially exhausted, means tor irtlecting replenishment oi tillii'ig, and 'teeler holding points yieldingly supporti-d by the teeler tip to extend beyond the end thereoll and receive the first impact on the beat up and then yield topermit the teeler tip to engage the surface, -saidlpoints acting positively by engagement with the filling toprevent movement oi the feeler tip longitudinally of the filling carrier until substantial exhaustion of lilliig.

8. In a eeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a eeler arm, a feeler tip mounted on the feeler arm and having a substantially smooth rear surface which is adapted to engage the fillingcarrier and slide longitudinally along and in contact with the filling carrier when the {illing is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, and a feeler point that is normally supported on the feeler tip to extend rearwardly' of the smooth rear surface of the eeler tip and yield inwardly of the feeler tip by contact with the filling carrier when tillingis substantially exhausted on a detecting beat and permit engagement ot the smooth rear surface of the tip with thelling carrier,

9. In a Jeeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a ieeler arm, a feelei' tip mounted on the ieeler arm and having a substantially smooth rear surface which is adapted to engage the filling carrier and slide longitudinally along and in contact with the filling carrier when the lilling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, and a rounded eeler point that is normally supported on the eeler tip to extend 11 arwardly of the smooth rear surface of the eeler tip and yield inwardly of the feeler Itip by contact with the filling carrier When filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat and permit engagement of the smooth rear surface ofthe tip with the filling carrier.

l0. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler arm7 a feeler tip mounted on the feeler arm and having a substantially smooth rear surface which is adapted to engage the filling carrier and slide longitudinally along and in Contact with the illing carrier when the illing is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, a feeler point supported on the eeler tip, a spring between the feeleltip and eeler point normally forcing the feeler point rearwardly beyond the smooth rear surface of the eeler tip and yieldable under the frontward pressure on a detecting beat to permit engagement of: the smooth rear surface ot' the eeler tip with a surface within the shuttle.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ALONZO E. lino-inns. 

